FINAL Game forecast · REGULAR week 1

WisconsinvsNotre Dame

Sun, Sep. 6 · 7:30 PM ET · Lambeau Field · NEUTRAL SITE

Wisconsin13
Notre Dame41
CALLED

SharpTake projected Notre Dame at 95%. Notre Dame won.

ProjectedNotre Dame by 31.5
ActualNotre Dame by 28
Difference3.5 pts
Market spreadNotre Dame -20.75
Vs spreadWINSharpTake Pick: Notre Dame -20.75

Pregame forecast · published before kickoff and not revised

SharpTake projects Notre Dame to win.

Notre DameProjected winner
95%Win probability
Notre Dame by 31.5Projected margin

Why SharpTake leans

Why SharpTake leans Notre Dame

Notre Dame's overall quality is the biggest reason SharpTake favors Notre Dame. Notre Dame also has the edge in down-to-down efficiency and running-game efficiency, while Wisconsin's record from last season pushes the other way.

Overall team quality

Strong Notre Dame advantage

Down-to-down efficiency

Strong Notre Dame advantage

Last season's results

Wisconsin offset

Running-game efficiency

Notre Dame advantage

On-field context

Matchup breakdown

These matchup factors describe where the teams differ on the field. They are separate from SharpTake's forecast explanation above.

Wisconsin finishing drives

CLEAR EDGE
Wisconsin offenseNotre Dame defense

Wisconsin scores points after possessions cross the opponent's 40-yard line far less often than most FBS teams, while Notre Dame allows points after possessions cross the opponent's 40-yard line far less often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Notre Dame.

Points per scoring opportunity · 2.28 pointsFinishing drives measures points per possession that reaches the opponent's 40-yard line.Among the weakest FBS results
Points allowed per scoring opportunity · 2.58 pointsFinishing drives measures points allowed per possession that reaches the defense's 40-yard line.Among the strongest FBS results

Comparison basis · Points per scoring opportunity, for and allowed

Season aggregates only. How a specific opponent forces field position and drive length is not captured here.

Wisconsin staying on schedule

CLEAR EDGE
Wisconsin offenseNotre Dame defense

Wisconsin gains enough yardage for the down and distance less often than most FBS teams, while Notre Dame allows enough yardage for the down and distance far less often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Notre Dame.

Offensive Success Rate · 36.6%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Worse than most FBS teams
Defensive Success Rate allowed · 36.3%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Among the strongest FBS results

Comparison basis · Success rate vs success rate allowed

Wisconsin pass game

CLEAR EDGE
Wisconsin offenseNotre Dame defense

Wisconsin gains enough yardage on pass plays for the down and distance less often than most FBS teams, while Notre Dame allows enough yardage on pass plays for the down and distance far less often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Notre Dame.

Passing Success Rate · 38.5%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Worse than most FBS teams
Passing Success Rate allowed · 35.0%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Among the strongest FBS results

Comparison basis · Passing success rate vs passing success rate allowed

Explore

Go deeper

Team reads

Position rooms

Wisconsin position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Notre Dame position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Coverage and limitations
  • Forecasts are produced only when both teams meet SharpTake's evidence requirements.
  • Player availability, injuries, weather, travel, and rest are not included.
  • Explain factors use completed 2025 team-season evidence. They describe matchup contrasts and are not causal model attribution.
  • Neither team has completed a game this season; the forecast rests on prior-season evidence.

Forecasts are model-based context, not guarantees.

Forecast model · Data cutoff Sep. 6, 2026 · 7:30 PM ET

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